The best NFL cities in each division

Sure, most prognosticators project the 2019 NFL division winners by considering players, coaching and schedule strength. But why not make predictions based on something that matters to travelers — the best cities to visit for game weekend. We rated teams on a seven-category scale. These eight emerged triumphant.

Who will win the NFC East in 2019?

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia boasts history (hello, Benjamin Franklin Museum) and a recent Super Bowl championship.

Affordability: Philly costs less than rivals Washington, D.C., and New York
Hotels: The Rittenhouse Hotel has ambiance, while Logan Philadelphia sits close to city center
Traveling into: Convenient airport, bus and train stations make long-distance travel a breeze
Traveling around: Philly’s main cultural attractions lie close together and are walkable
Stadium: Located off I-95, Lincoln Financial Field has parking galore as well as subway and bus stops
Food: Order hummus at Zahav. For lunch, hit High Street on Market for a sandwich
Weather: Brisk but not biting. Perfect football weather

Who will win the NFC North in 2019?

Green Bay Packers

With more than a dozen previous division titles, give Green Bay the edge.

Affordability: Navigate Green Bay for less than $100 a day, cheaper than division rival Chicago
Hotels: Packer fan photos line the walls of the sports bar at Hotel Northland, Autograph Collection, while Astor House is near the National Railroad Museum
Traveling into: Catch a cheap flight into Chicago, then rent a car and drive north
Traveling around: That rental car will prove useful navigating town
Stadium: Lambeau Field traffic gets bad on game days, and I-41 backs up worse than I-43
Food: Cannery Public Market serves delicious local farm-to-table favorites
Weather: NFC North cities are frigid. Pack long underwear

Who will win the NFC South in 2019?

New Orleans Saints

Last year the Saints dominated. No-brainer: New Orleans will repeat.

Affordability: More expensive than rival Atlanta, but so much fun
Hotels: Splurge at Roosevelt New Orleans. Save at Bywater Bed & Breakfast
Traveling into: Cheap flights enter the Big Easy from every major airport
Traveling around: Hop on a charming streetcar downtown
Stadium: The upcoming Mercedes-Benz Superdome renovation may reduce its already-limited parking. Use buses or streetcars instead of driving
Food: Buy beignets at Cafe du Monde and indulge in tastes of the South at Boucherie
Weather: Hot, hot, hot. Pack lightly

Who will win the NFC West in 2019?

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle has Russell Wilson and the Space Needle. Seattle is cool.

Affordability: Seattle requires a modest budget
Hotels: Bringing a pooch? Hotel Vintage Park has pet sitting, while Loews Hotel 1000, Seattle, gives Rover a bed
Traveling into: Sea-Tac Airport is easily accessible, but for a real treat, ride the ferry from Vancouver
Traveling around: Avoid traffic by walking or taking a bus or water taxi
Stadium: CenturyLink Field provides more parking than several NFC West foes and offers bike racks and electric charging stations
Food: Find a restaurant for every palate at Pike Place Market
Weather: Pleasant, but pack an umbrella

Who will win the AFC East in 2019?

New England Patriots

Always a safe bet, Boston’s team has won every division title since 2009.

Affordability: Travel for an impressive $100 per day
Hotels: Sleep in a former jail at Liberty Hotel, or enjoy the free parking (really!) at Harding House
Traveling into: Arrive by plane (through Logan Airport) or train (through South Station)
Traveling around: The T goes everywhere
Stadium: Drive the 50 minutes from Boston to Gillette Stadium or ride the MBTA’s Patriot Train
Food: When in Boston, eat seafood, preferably at Eventide Fenway or Neptune Oyster
Weather: Seasonable until December, when temps dip to the 20s

Who will win the AFC North in 2019?

Cleveland Browns

Come season’s end, Cleveland, home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will rock for another reason.

Affordability: Daily costs are lower than in most cities in the NFL
Hotels: Love funky art? Choose Kimpton Schofield Hotel. Want to walk to the HoF? Try Stone Gables Bed and Breakfast
Traveling into: Fly into Cleveland Hopkins International
Traveling around: The rail system hits the city’s highlights
Stadium: Approach FirstEnergy Stadium via West 25th Street from the west or Superior Avenue from the east. Secure parking in advance through Parkmobile
Food: Grab dinner at Little Italy’s Nora, then try craft-brew beer donuts at Brewnuts — quintessential Cleveland
Weather: Cool by December but not freezing

Who will win the AFC South in 2019?

Indianapolis Colts

There are lots of questions surrounding the Colts this season, but one thing is for certain – the city of Indianapolis is a great destination for a football weekend.

Affordability: Love those low Midwest prices
Hotels: Reserve a third-floor loft at quirky Stone Soup Inn, or experience patio life at Hotel Broad Ripple
Traveling into: Indy’s airport recently added more West Coast flights, but driving works too — Indianapolis perches between three major highways
Traveling around: Rent scooters to traverse the city
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium parking is limited. Fortunately, the Go Green Shuttle ferries hotel guests to games
Food: Milktooth puts a fresh spin on breakfast foods. For dinner, taste regional favorites at Tinker Street
Weather: The stadium has a dome, so games stay toasty in winter

Who will win the AFC West in 2019?

Los Angeles Chargers

The division’s best climate makes it the top place to visit.

Affordability: On the higher end of the budget
Hotels: Petit Ermitage posts art collections in the hallways. Have kids? They’ll love Mama Shelter’s foosball table in the lobby
Traveling into: Come by air, boat or bus — Los Angeles is a transportation hub
Traveling around: Avoid the legendarily bad traffic by taking the subway
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park gives way to a state-of-the-art shared stadium with the LA Rams in 2020. Bus transport is available on game day
Food: In LA, stars are everywhere: Otium’s chef recently won Netflix’s cooking competition The Final Table
Weather: Beautiful year-round, with almost no chance of rain